A Shade sail can be used as a deck shade, a backyard shade or just a simple sub shade for the back of your house. These outdoor shades, can come in all all shapes and sizes and are usually made from a fabric mesh sometines knitted sometimes woven. Shade sails (sometimes known as Sun sails) can provide you and your family with UV protection whilst being a stylish addition to your backyard, patio, swimming pool, carports and lots of other outdoor locations.
Their elegant look comes in the curved design of the shade, as once mounted they have a catenary curve to them which is atheistically pleasing to the eye.
Top 5 Best Shade Sails
| Model | Size | Shape | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petra | 20'x20' | Square | ||
| Windscreen4less | 14'14' | Square | ||
| Cool Area | 13'x19'8" | Rectangle | ||
| Patio Paradise | 16'x20' | Rectangle | ||
| Coolaroo | 16'x5' | Triangle |
5. Coolaroo 16-Foot-by-5-Inch Triangle Shade Sail
Coolaroo is a popular make in the world of shade sails. This shade sail provides up to 90% protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. As the name suggests it is a triangular sun shade perfect for any pool, deck patio, spa. Providing up to 32% descrease in temperature, on a balmy hot day this shade sail can feel like a life saving addition to any ones backyard.
Now this shade is not the largest outdoor shade on the list, however you can be assured of high quality when buying a coolaroo shade sail.
The fabric is porous to air and rain to move through it, prevent sagging from pooling water. The porous fabric, also allows in the light. Even so some reviewers have found that the material can look tarp like.
Comes with a stainless steel hardware containing: 3 pad eyes, 2 turnbuckles and 1 snap hook.
- High quality
- Great for a backyard
- Hardware kit included
- Can cast a small shadow due to its size
- Can be tricky to mount
4. Patio Paradise 16’x20′ Rectangle Sun Shade Sail
Coming in a large array of different colours is the Paito Paradise 16’x20′ Sun Shade Sail Rectangle Canopy. This shade sail is quite sizable in comparison to are previous sun shade.
Made from a high-density permeable Ultra violet blocking fabric 160GSM polyethylene knitted breathable fabric material. The eyelets on each corner are made from highly durable stainless steel fixed into strongly stitched seams.
Once agin the breathable fabric allows for cooling breezes and light to pass through the shade sail, yet at the same time reducing the temperature and making the space underneath the sun shades shadow feel comfortable.
- Easy installation
- Simple maintenance
- Good quality
- Could have more eye-lets for ease in securing
- May not be able to cope in heavy winds
3. Cool Area Rectangle 13′ X 19’8” Sun Shade Sail
Another rectangular outdoor fabric shade on this list. Available in 4 colours: Blue, Green, Sand and Terra. Cool Area have created a shade sail which is lightweight and very simple to install 10 minutes should do the job, even for the non shade expert.
As the Patio Paradise shade, this is made from high density polyethylene ( Don’t go placing a patio heater under these! ). A commercial grade stainless steel hardware kit, containing: 4 turnbuckles, 4 eyepads and 4 snap hooks, is included when buying this shade sail.
- Inexpensive
- Simple to install
- Commercial grade hardware kit included
- A little sagging is visible
- Rain water could flow through quicker
2. Windscreen4less 14′ x 14′ Sun Shade Sail Square Canopy
Moving on the from rectangle range we have the Windscreen4less 14’x14′ sun shade sail. Made from a knitted high density polyethylene fabric. You are able to choose from 9 colours. Ratchet straps on the shade enable you to tighten the sun shade as it inevitably stretches over time.
Some users of the sun shade have felt that the rope provided with this shade sail, is of a lesser quality and does not last as long as they would like.
- Well made
- Nice tie down ratchet straps
- Simple installation
- Low quality rope provided
1. Petra’s 20 Ft. X 20 Ft. Square Desert Sand Sun Sail Shade
This is a shade sail uses a woven heavy duty high density polyethylene fabric, like all the others on this list it will provide effective blocking of up to 90% of the sun’s ultra violet light. A simple by style shade for the outdoors,
The most cost effective sun sail shade per square foot in this list of best shade sails. With reinforced webbing around the perimeter and steel D rings at each corner
There is only one colour, but if you are looking for a simple yet elegant style for your outdoor shade then this could be for you.
- Well priced.
- Heavy duty but will not droop or sag
- Open mesh allowing for no pooling of waterSimple installation
- Nylon ropes for attachment
